Nov. 18, 2009

Box Score | Quotes | Notes

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Freshman Bethany Watterworth and sophomore Sharise Calhoun both posted career highs in scoring, as Watterworth scored 24 points and Calhoun added 13, while seniors Hanna Reising scored 14 and 11 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome the hot shooting of Toledo, led by guard Naama Shafir's career-high 36 points as the Oakland University women's basketball team (1-2) dropped an 87-75 decision to Toledo (2-1) on Wednesday night at the Athletics Center O'Rena.

"I thought that we really came out strong in the first half," said head coach Beckie Francis. "Toledo is a very good team, being picked number one in their division of the MAC and their team was very focused and determined. I thought foul trouble with some of our post players hurt us again and Toledo just hit some big shots. We tried everything we could to stop Naama Shafir and she had a career night."

The Golden Grizzlies controlled the action in the opening few minutes, pushing ahead to a six-point (12-6) lead after a layup by Calhoun at the 16:15 mark. However, Toledo came racing back with a 7-0 run to take a 13-12 lead just one minute later. The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes before Oakland used a 3-pointer by Reising to claim a 11-point (38-27) lead at the 4:14 mark of the first half.

However, that would be the last bucket of the half for OU, as Toledo closed the opening half on a 11-0 run, capped by a Jessica Williams 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining to tie the game at 38-38 going into intermission.

Toledo extended its run to 15-0 after a pair of buckets to open the second half before Jeltema ended the OU drought with a layup at the 17:19 mark, pulling Oakland to within 42-40. The successful conversion of a three-point play by Watterworth with just under 15 minutes remaining gave the Golden Grizzlies a one-point lead, and the two teams traded buckets and leads for the next seven minutes. With Oakland ahead 61-60 and 7:15 remaining, Shafir hit one of her four 3-pointers of the night to put the Rockets back on top, and Toledo would not relinquish the lead. OU pulled back to within one at the 6:14 mark (63-62), but Toledo used a 6-0 stretch to push ahead 69-62, and pushed the lead into double digits, leading by as many as 12 points and closing the contest with the 12-point margin of victory.

Toledo shot 56.0 percent from the floor, posting identical 14-for-25 numbers in the first and second halves. The Rockets shot 55.6 percent from 3-point range, going 10-of-18 from long range. Oakland shot 41.5 percent from the floor. OU forced 18 Toledo turnovers, while committing just 14. OU held a 36-32 advantage in points in the paint, while holding a 16-12 advantage in second-chance points.

Oakland will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 21, as they head to Milwaukee, Wis. to face Marquette. A 3 p.m. tip is scheduled.

"We schedule teams like this on purpose to make us better and expose our weaknesses," said Francis. "I think you elevate your game when you play good teams. We just have to put two halves together."

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